Summer vacation

[Matthew_T]

I know it is the wrong time of year to be talking about these things but I thought I might just warm up peoples insides.

I am wanting to go on a little journey somewhere in the UK next summer. Somewhere nice and accessible by train. I will be bringing my bike as I aim to go cycling for about 50 miles.

Depending on costs, it might only be for one day, or maybe two (stay over at travel lodge as I can gain access to free nights).

I was wondering where to go and was pondering about meeting up with some local cyclists and to go on a ride with them as they will know the area better than me.
London is on my possibilities list as I was thinking about getting a taste of the busy and fast life of cycling in a very built up city (talking about saying hello to Gaz).
Or maybe somewhere near Manchester (a bit more local).
The hilly areas would be the New Forest, Peak District, Scottish Highlands, East coast, etc...

Any ideas guys?

 

[gaz]

(talking about saying hello to Gaz).

Hello

Out of all the options in the country, i wouldn't come to London. It's a great place and it's amazing to see all the commuter cyclists at 8.30am going through constitution arch. But for a cycling holiday it's a bit of a nightmare in comparison to the other places you could go.

 

[the snail]

I'd look online for advance rail tickets, and go somewhere cheap! From Chippenham I've taken my bike to Cheltenham, Southampton for £4 each way. It's quite random though, when I wanted to go to Tewkesbury, just up the road from Cheltenham they wanted £18 each way. I'd give big cities a miss, but other than that there's good cycling to be had all over the UK.

 

[Broughtonblue]

Isle of Wight. It has some beautiful Coastal scenery on the round the island ride. Also internally it is criss crossed with more cycle paths again with stunning scenery than you would ever believe. They also run a 'cycling festival' every year with organised rides for all abilities, in September I believe if you want to meet fellow cyclists. It can be very hilly in parts though.

 

[ufkacbln]

Isle of Wight. It has some beautiful Coastal scenery on the round the island ride. Also internally it is criss crossed with more cycle paths again with stunning scenery than you would ever believe. They also run a 'cycling festival' every year with organised rides for all abilities, in September I believe if you want to meet fellow cyclists. It can be very hilly in parts though.

Howzabout doing it in May?

The Randonneee is a fantastically friendly ride to do.... and a few forum members as well

 

[Matthew_T]

Howzabout doing it in May?

The Randonneee is a fantastically friendly ride to do.... and a few forum members as well

As it will cost me £100 to get down there, I think i will give that one a miss.

 

[Telemark]

There is NEVER a wrong time to think about cycling holidays!

I've only ever cycled in Scotland and northern England (Northumberland), and would recommend both ... you just need to find somewhere with not too much and not too fast traffic, and be lucky with the weather - it pays to watch which way the wind is blowing, and adjust your route accordingly, especially if going point-to-point.

Easy places to get to for starting/ending your trip, with frequent trains, could be Berwick-upon-Tweed, Edinburgh, Carlisle, Newcastle, depending on what you fancy/where you can get a bike reservation at short notice. Or if you want to go somewhere a bit special, aim for an island ... Arran and Bute are easily accessible, change trains in Glasgow, hop onto the ferry for a short trip, and enjoy the relaxed pace of island life.

Have a look at Mr T's blog for photos/routes/write-ups for 1/2/3 day tours we've done.

 

[Matthew_T]

I think its worth noting that I live in North Wales so the area needs to be easily accessible. If I go into England then I will probably need to change trains somewhere, but If I head into the Welsh hills (Brecon Beacons) then it would be easier.

 

[Crackle]

You are perfectly placed where you are. Set off from Press dat in and head over to Vyrnwy, Blaneau etc..., all wonderful cycling areas. A there and back is easy.